​The Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Hermes Tang, today (July 10) officiated at the certificate presentation ceremony of the Canine Breeding Training Programme at the Customs Headquarters Building where 10 officers from the Customs Canine Force were awarded certificates at the ceremony upon successful completion of the programme.

     Jointly organised by the City University of Hong Kong (CityU) Veterinary Medical Centre and the Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences of CityU, the training programme was CityU's first pilot canine breeding course tailor-made for local law enforcement agencies. Ten officers from the Customs Canine Force attended a one-week training programme early this month to acquire knowledge in various areas including advanced breeding techniques, selection of breeding methods, dog pregnancy, dog midwifery, nutrition as well as puppy care.

     Mr Tang said at the ceremony that the Customs Detector Dog Division was officially upgraded to the Customs Canine Force last year and Customs' in-house breeding of the first batch of working dogs will be finished within this year. He said the co-operation with CityU this time served as a good chance to equip Customs officers with comprehensive canine breeding skills and to get prepared for receiving the first batch of working dogs bred in-house.

     Mr Tang added that this training programme focusing on canine breeding is another iconic co-operation project with CityU, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on credits transfer arrangement with the School of Continuing and Professional Education of CityU last month. He said joining with local universities to organise courses could promote continuous learning among Customs officers and enhance the department's staff training. It could also help to establish a good partnership between the two sides.

     Other guests attending today's certificate presentation ceremony included the President of CityU, Professor Way Kuo; the Deputy Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Ms Louise Ho; and representatives from the working dog units of various law enforcement agencies. The representatives also took this opportunity to exchange experiences on canine handling and training, which can in turn help to foster future inter-departmental breeding programme and enforcement co-operation.

Ends/Friday, July 10, 2020
Issued at HKT 19:30

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